Okay, so the other day I was browsing online for some new teaware, and I stumbled upon these Japanese tea cups with lids. Now, I’ve always been a fan of Japanese tea culture, but I’d never really thought much about the cups themselves, other than noticing they usually don’t have handles.
This time, though, something about these lidded cups caught my eye. I started digging around to learn more, and boy, was I in for a surprise!
Why No Handles?
First off, I found out why Japanese teacups generally don’t have handles. Apparently, it’s intentional! It forces you to hold the cup with both hands, which not only looks more elegant but also lets you feel the warmth of the tea directly. I tried it with my regular mug, and I have to admit, it does feel different, kind of more… intentional, I guess.
The Lids!
Then there’s the lid. Turns out, it’s not just for show. It actually helps to keep your tea warm while it’s steeping. The steam condenses on the inside of the lid and drips back down, so you don’t lose any of that precious tea goodness. And when you want to drink it, you just remove it, it’s much better than the tea bag.
Digging Deeper
My curiosity was really piqued now, so I kept researching. I learned that these cups are often called “yunomi,” and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The ones with lids are especially good for brewing green teas, like sencha and gyokuro, which need to steep at lower temperatures.
- Yunomi – This is the general term for Japanese teacups.
- Chawan – These are wider bowls used in the traditional tea ceremony.
- Sencha – A popular type of Japanese green tea, it’s steamed after picking.
- Gyokuro – This is a more luxurious green tea, known for its unique process of being shaded before harvest.
Experiment Time!
Of course, I had to try it out for myself. I ordered a set of these lidded yunomi online, along with some nice sencha tea. When they arrived, I brewed up a cup, following the instructions I found online. I carefully measured the water temperature, put the tea leaves in the cup, poured the water, and placed the lid on top.
After a few minutes, I removed the lid, and there it was – a beautiful cup of steaming green tea. I picked up the cup with both hands, feeling the warmth through the ceramic. The first sip was amazing! The tea tasted so fresh and vibrant, and I could tell the lid had made a difference in keeping the temperature just right.
My New Favorite Way to Drink Tea
Honestly, I’m hooked. Using these lidded cups has added a whole new dimension to my tea-drinking experience. It feels more mindful, more connected to the tea itself. And the tea tastes fantastic! I’ve even started experimenting with different types of green tea, and I’m loving every minute of it.
So, if you’re a tea lover like me, I highly recommend giving these Japanese tea cups with lids a try. It might seem like a small thing, but trust me, it can make a big difference in your tea enjoyment. You might just find yourself falling in love with the ritual of it all, just like I did.
